Government confirms ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s: Food Active response

by Chloe Higham-Smith | 17 July, 2026 11:12 am

The Government have published its long awaited response to the consultation on restricting high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16.

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The ban will apply to drinks, other than tea and coffee, containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. It will cover all retail settings, including in-store and online sales, and will also prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks through vending machines. Business-to-business sales will be exempt.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the legislation is expected to come into force in April 2027, following a six-month implementation period.

It’s estimated around 100,000 children in England drink energy drinks high in caffeine every day and evidence suggests this can negatively impact their physical and mental health, as well as their education. Children living in more deprived areas and households are more likely to consume these drinks, increasing health risks and impairing their learning.

Food Active has long called[1] for action to protect children from the harms associated with high-caffeine energy drinks, and we are pleased to see the government acting on the overwhelming evidence of the health harms associated with these drinks.

Nicola Calder, Food Active Programme Lead, said:

“The high-caffeine energy drinks sales ban to under 16s his is a hugely welcome and long-overdue decision that will help protect the health and wellbeing of children and young people across England. High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s diets, and the evidence of their impact on oral health, sleep, mental wellbeing and learning has been clear for many years.

We are pleased to see the Government listening to the overwhelming evidence and to the voices of health professionals, campaigners, schools and parents, who have worked tirelessly to achieve this change. We know that children from the most disadvantaged communities are more likely to consume these drinks, making this an important step towards reducing health inequalities.

Food Active will continue to call for stronger action to create healthier food environments, including greater restrictions on the marketing and promotion of less healthy food and drink to children, so that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy.”

Read the government consultation response here: Banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children – GOV.UK[2]

Source URL: https://foodactive.org.uk/government-confirms-ban-on-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-for-under-16s-food-active-response/

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